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Risk Management in Forestry II

Course developer

Prior knowledge

MežZ4104, Risk Management in Forestry I

Course abstract

The aim of the course is to provide basic information about particular forest management risks, and tools of their assessment. Mainly impact of rising temperature and changes of length of vegetation period on tree survival and growth are analyzed; also climate change mitigation options are briefly described. Possible strategies for risk reduction in forest management are described.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

1. The student knows the most important risks in forest management and predictions of their changes (seminars, practical classes).
2. The student is able to describe possibilities to increase the adaptive capacity of stands (test).
3. The student is competent to develop complex risk assessment and prepare strategy to mitigate risks for a particular forest property / manager (seminars, practical classes, final test).

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Changes in length of vegetation period, their potential direct and indirect negative impacts.
2. Forest adaptation potential, methods to increase it and forest management methods to minimize the risks – group work and individual assignment, field seminar.
3. Rise of winter temperature and its potential impact on forest ecosystem.
4. Reports of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
5. Regionalized climate change models: Europe. Test.
6. The observed impact of climate change over the century on various components of the forest ecosystem.
7. Assessment of forest reproductive material in the context of climate change: field seminar.
8. Increased CO2 concentration: short-term and long-term effects.

9. Impact of forestry on GHG emissions in the current and future climate: threats and opportunities.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Course assessment - exam
The seminar should be attended and the given tasks performed. Individual assignments completed and credited; test given during the course completed. Final test in the form of choice and open questions at the end of the course. For a successful completion of the final test, at least 50% of answers must be correct.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Systematic studies of theory based on the course plan and assignments. Preparation for seminars (based on provided literature), active participation in discussions and preparation and completion of individual assignments.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Knowledge, skills and competence are assessed on a 10-grade scale. An oral or written answer is successful if at least 50% of the questions are answered correctly.
Assessment is cumulative and consists of the results in the seminar and individual assignments (total 60 %), 1 test (40 %).
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The tests are evaluated according to the set procedure – based on the answers to the questions given in the methodological descriptions, provided at the beginning of each study period, the individual assignments are evaluated based on the demonstrated competence to apply the acquired theoretical knowledge and skills. Requirements and procedures for delayed classes: seminars must be processed within the time and order specified, and one opportunity is given for verbally answering or re-writing the unsuccessful tests.

Compulsory reading

Handbook of forest resource economics. Edited by S. Kant and J. R.R. Alavalapati. Abingdon: Routledge, 2014. 559 p.
Edinburg University Forest Risk platform: [tiešsaiste] [skatīts23.10.2019.] Pieejams: https://forestrisks.net/

Further reading

Seppälä R., Buck A., Katila P. Adaptation of Forests and People to Climate Change: A Global Assessment Report. Tampere: Esa-Print Oy, 2009. 224 lpp.
Mohren G.M.J. Impacts of Global Change on Tree Physiology and Forest Ecosystems. Dordecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1997.- 196 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

Nature Climate Change ISSN 1758-678X
Global Change Biology ISSN 1365-2486
EFI risks platform: https://www.riskplatform.org/

Notes

For students of academic bachelor program “Sustainable forestry”